Looking for a smartphone that brings together solid performance with some clever features? We’ve been testing the Nothing Phone 3a, and honestly, it’s caught our attention with its quirky approach to mobile tech.
Table of Contents
The camera system really impressed us. The main 50MP camera snaps sharp photos, and the 30x zoom lets you get close to stuff you couldn’t reach otherwise.
We found the front-facing 32MP camera great for selfies and video calls too. It just works, even if you aren’t in perfect lighting.
What stood out most was the Essential Key—a physical button that grabs screenshots with one press or records voice notes if you hold it down. It sounds simple, but after a couple days, you start wondering why every phone doesn’t have this.
The 6.77-inch display looks brilliant. Colours are vibrant, scrolling is smooth, and the battery easily got us through full days. When we needed a top-up, the 50W charging had us back up and running in no time.
Ideal for staying up to date with real-time games on Call of War while on the go and being able to carry out the necessary reactions and commands.
The phone can feel a bit big in smaller hands. The white finish looks sleek but shows fingerprints more than we’d like.
The Nothing OS takes a bit of adjustment if you’re coming from another Android phone. It’s not bad, just different enough to notice.
Click here to get the Nothing Phone 3a and check out its quirks for yourself!
Overview of the Nothing Phone 3a 128 GB
We spent a good chunk of time with this device and came away thinking it delivers real value for the money. The Snapdragon processor and 8 GB of RAM give it impressive performance for a mid-range phone.
The 6.77-inch AMOLED display stands out. It’s bright, colourful, and the 120 Hz refresh rate makes everything feel fast. We used it outdoors and had no trouble seeing the screen, even in sunlight.
Camera performance surprised us. The 50 MP main camera takes sharp photos, and the 30x zoom is better than you’d expect at this price. The 32 MP front camera keeps selfies looking clear.
The 5000 mAh battery lasted us a full day, even with heavy use. When we needed a quick charge, the 50W fast charging got us back to a usable level quickly.
The Essential Key button adds a genuinely handy shortcut for screenshots and voice memos. Nothing OS feels clean and responsive, without the bloat you get on some Android phones.
Order the Nothing Phone (3a) here on Amazon!
Stunning Triple Camera System
Taking photos with this phone opened up creative options we didn’t expect from a mid-range device. The camera setup feels genuinely considered, not just there for show.
3a Pro – A New Dimension of Photography for Nothing
The 50MP main camera with optical image stabilisation gives you sharp, natural shots in most lighting. Colours look true to life—not that oversaturated, cartoonish vibe you sometimes get.
The 50MP telephoto lens was a nice surprise. We got close to distant subjects with 30x zoom and actually saw details our eyes missed. Sure, the extreme zoom gets a bit soft, but the 10x range works brilliantly for portraits and street shots.
The 8MP ultra-wide camera works well for group shots and landscapes. It doesn’t quite match the main camera’s quality, but you get more of the scene without weird distortion at the edges.
What impressed us:
- Natural colour reproduction
- Zoom range that’s actually useful day-to-day
- Consistent performance across all lenses
Where it falls short:
- Ultra-wide camera is noticeably softer
- Zoom quality drops at the max end
- Low-light shots could still be better
The 32MP front camera does a solid job with selfies and video calls. Sometimes it over-smooths skin, even with beauty mode off, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
Essential Key and Seamless Content Capture
The side button feature turned out to be more useful than we expected. We ended up using it all the time—just a press for a screenshot, no awkward button combos or digging through menus.
Long-pressing for voice recording is brilliant too. You can quickly capture ideas on the go or record meeting notes. The button feels sturdy and always responds.
Essential Space keeps things organised:
- Screenshots show up automatically
- Voice recordings get sorted by date
- AI suggests actions based on what you capture
- Everything’s in one spot, easy to find
The AI suggestions are actually helpful. It recognised text in screenshots and offered to copy it. Voice recordings got transcribed pretty fast and accurately.
We did sometimes press the button by accident when picking up the phone, but that happened less as we got used to it. Overall, this feature genuinely changed how we grab and organise stuff on our phone.
Effortless Nothing OS 3.1 Experience
We found the software experience refreshingly smooth. Nothing OS 3.1 feels clean and snappy when flipping between apps.
The Smart Drawer stood out. It sorts your apps by type and puts the ones you use most at the top—makes finding things way less annoying.
Key software highlights:
- Custom shortcuts on the home screen work well
- Quick Settings are easy to tweak
- Widgets are simple to move around
We liked that the interface doesn’t feel cluttered. You get plenty of ways to customise things, but it never feels overwhelming.
The unique sounds and vibrations add a premium touch. Each tap gives a satisfying response, which is oddly nice.
Some features took a bit of digging to find. But after a little exploration, using the OS started to feel second nature.
High-Capacity Battery and Rapid Charging
The 5,000 mAh battery is a real strong point here. We got through a full day of heavy use—social media, gaming, streaming—without worrying about running out.
The charging speed is wild. The 50W fast charging gave us enough power for the whole day in under 20 minutes. Plug it in while making coffee and you’re set.
Battery Performance:
- YouTube playback: 26 hours
- Gaming: 11 hours
- Social media: 24 hours
- Voice calls: 45 hours
The battery holds up well over time. Even after a bunch of charges, it kept over 90% of its original capacity. We like that Nothing built this to last, not just fade after a year.
The only bummer is no wireless charging. You’ll be plugging in every time, so keep the cable handy.
Expansive AMOLED Display and Build Quality
The first thing you’ll notice is how stunning the screen looks. The 6.77-inch display is just gorgeous for daily use. Colours pop, and everything looks sharp and crisp.
The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling buttery smooth. We picked up on this right away when browsing or flipping through apps. Videos look great, and the brightness holds up even outdoors.
Display highlights we noticed:
- Rich, vibrant colours that avoid cartoonish oversaturation
- Super smooth scrolling and animations
- Good visibility outside
- Deep blacks thanks to AMOLED tech
Build quality feels solid. At 201 grams, it’s got enough heft to feel premium but not so much it feels like a brick. The white finish looks clean and modern, but yeah, it picks up fingerprints easily.
The phone feels well put together. No creaks, no weird flexing—just a sturdy device.
Long-Term Software Support
We’ve been pretty impressed with Nothing’s commitment to updates. Since we started using the Phone 3a, they’ve pushed out security patches and system improvements on a regular basis.
Nothing OS gets updates that actually improve things, not just patch bugs. We noticed smoother performance and new features showing up, which isn’t something you always see from smaller brands.
Key Update Features:
- Monthly security patches arrive reliably
- Major Android updates promised for several years
- OS improvements that add real functionality
The update process is painless and doesn’t take forever. Still, as a newer brand, Nothing can’t match the track record of Samsung or Google just yet.
We’re glad they’ve publicly promised extended support, but only time will tell if they keep it up as they release more products.
Pros and Cons
After our time with the Phone 3a, here are the main highlights and a few things to keep in mind.
Pros
The camera system’s versatility really stands out. The 30x zoom captured distant subjects surprisingly well, and the 50MP main camera delivered sharp shots in all kinds of light. The 32MP front camera made video calls look crisp.
Battery performance was better than we expected. We got through demanding days without scrambling for a charger. The 50W fast charging is super convenient—a quick 20-minute plug-in gave us hours of use.
The 6.77″ AMOLED display is a joy. Colours are vibrant, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel snappy. Outdoor visibility is excellent, even in bright sun.
Nothing OS felt refreshingly clean compared to some bloated Android skins. We liked the thoughtful organisation and customisation without all the junk.
The Essential Key button became a favourite. Taking quick screenshots or voice notes felt natural after just a few days.
Cons
The learning curve for Nothing OS might annoy folks switching from other Android phones. Some features take a bit of hunting to find and set up.
We saw occasional performance hiccups during heavy multitasking, but these were rare and didn’t last long.
The unique design isn’t for everyone. The transparent parts and glyph lighting might feel a bit much if you prefer a classic look.
Software support timeline is decent but not amazing. Three years of Android updates is okay, but some competitors offer more.
The IP64 rating gives basic splash protection, but it’s not as robust as the IP68 you get from others at this price.
User-Focused Features for Everyday Life
The Essential Key button honestly shifted how I use my phone every day. Just one press grabs a screenshot, and if I hold it down, it records a voice memo.
It’s surprisingly handy for saving stuff or jotting a thought before it disappears. I keep reaching for it—maybe too often.
Essential Space tries to put everything in one spot. The AI handles all your captures and throws out suggestions for what to do next.
I didn’t have to dig through endless apps or scroll old photos to find what I needed. That’s a relief, honestly.
Nothing OS 3.1 keeps things refreshingly straightforward. I tweaked quick settings and added widgets that actually made my routine smoother.
The Smart Drawer sorts apps by category and puts the ones I use most right at the top. That’s the kind of automation I wish more phones had.
- 26 hours of YouTube watching
- 11 hours of gaming
- 24 hours of social media scrolling
The 50W fast charging gives me a full day’s power in under 20 minutes. Even after pushing it hard, I rarely needed to top up before bedtime.
The phone feels built for real life, not just spec sheets.
Customer Reviews
Most buyers seem genuinely happy with the Nothing phone. That 4.5-star rating speaks for itself.
What People Love:
- Battery life – People say it lasts all day, even when they really push it
- Camera quality – Some folks compare the shots to top-tier flagships
- Fast charging – The 50W charger gets a lot of praise
- Unique design – The glyph thing comes up more often than I expected
Common Praise Points:
- Screen looks sharp and the colours pop
- Nothing OS runs smooth, no weird lag
- Feels like a steal for under £400
- Switching between apps is fast
Some buyers upgraded from older Nothing models and felt glad they did. A few picked it over bigger brands just for something different.
Minor Issues:
A couple of reviews mentioned the specs are solid but didn’t go into much detail about problems. Most folks focused on the positives.
International buyers also seem satisfied. People mention the build quality and even the packaging, which is rare.
Click here to get the Nothing Phone 3a and check out its quirks for yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
After living with this phone, I’ve seen the same questions come up over and over. Here’s what you probably want to know about the Phone (3a).
What unique features does the latest model from Nothing boast?
The Essential Key grabs your attention right away. Tap it for a screenshot, hold it for a quick voice note—honestly, I wish every phone had this.
Essential Space keeps all your captures in one spot. The AI sorts things and throws out suggestions, which is actually useful for keeping track of random screenshots and voice memos.
The Glyph interface is still a Nothing signature. The back lights up for notifications and charging, and it’s more helpful than I expected for knowing who’s calling without flipping the phone.
How does the camera performance of the Phone (3a) stack up against its competitors?
The triple camera setup surprised me. The 50MP main lens, with optical image stabilization, takes sharp shots in good light.
The 50MP telephoto gives you 30x zoom, though honestly, it looks best up to about 10x. After that, you lose some detail.
Low light shots are okay—not amazing, but not bad either. The 8MP ultra-wide grabs more of the scene but loses some crispness. The 32MP front camera takes clear selfies, even in groups.
Camera strengths:
- Sharp main camera shots
- Zoom is actually usable
- Colours look true-to-life
Camera weaknesses:
- Ultra-wide isn’t as detailed
- Night mode could use work
In terms of battery life, how long can the Phone (3a) last on a single charge?
The 5000mAh battery lasts all day, even when I push it. I ran social media, calls, and took photos from morning to night—still had 20% left at midnight.
Nothing claims 26 hours of YouTube. I got close with mixed use: streaming, gaming, and work apps. The 50W fast charger fills it to 80% in under half an hour.
Here’s what I saw for daily use:
- Instagram: 22+ hours
- Gaming: 9–10 hours
- Video calls: 8–9 hours
Has the Phone (3a) improved in terms of user experience and interface compared to its predecessors?
Nothing OS 3.1 feels snappy. The Smart Drawer sorts apps by category and puts your most-used ones first, which honestly saves me time.
The interface sticks close to stock Android, but you get some nice custom options. Quick Settings, home, and lock screens can all be tweaked with shortcuts.
The sounds and haptics make every tap feel satisfying. The vibration motor has a premium feel, which is rare at this price.
What are the price and availability like for the Phone (3a) across different regions?
The 128GB model lands around £350–400 in the UK. I’ve seen it on sale for £300, which feels like a bargain.
You can grab it from major retailers or Nothing’s own site. Delivery is usually quick unless you live somewhere remote.
It competes well with Samsung and Google at this price. You get more storage and RAM than most rivals, which is a nice bonus.
Is the Phone (3a) equipped with sufficient storage and memory options for heavy users?
The base model gives you 128GB storage and 8GB RAM. For most people, that’s probably enough. Heavy users, though, might want to look at models with more space.
With 8GB RAM, multitasking feels pretty smooth. I tried running a handful of apps at once and didn’t really see any slowdowns.
The Snapdragon processor keeps things moving along nicely.
Storage considerations:
- 128GB: Decent for average users
- No microSD slot: You might need to use cloud storage
- System takes about 20GB: So you actually get a bit over 100GB free
Since you can’t expand the storage, picking the right capacity from the start is pretty important. If you take tons of photos or play a lot of big games, you should probably go for the higher storage version—if that’s an option.
Click here to get the Nothing Phone 3a and check out its quirks for yourself!
